298 research outputs found
Thermodynamics of the two-dimensional Falicov-Kimball model: a classical Monte Carlo study
The two-dimensional Falicov-Kimball (FK) model is analyzed using Monte Carlo
method. In the case of concentrations of both itinerant and localized particles
equal to 0.5 we determine temperature dependence of specific heat, charge
density wave susceptibility and density-density correlation function. In the
weak interaction regime we find a first order transition to the ordered state
and anomalous temperature dependence of the correlation function. We construct
the phase diagram of half-filled FK model. Also, the role of
next-nearest-neighbor hopping on the phase diagram is analyzed. Lastly, we
discuss the density of states and the spectral functions for the mobile
particles in weak and strong interaction regime.Comment: 15 pages, RevTe
Ising t-J model close to half filling: A Monte Carlo study
Within the recently proposed doped-carrier representation of the projected
lattice electron operators we derive a full Ising version of the t-J model.
This model possesses the global discrete Z_2 symmetry as a maximal spin
symmetry of the Hamiltonian at any values of the coupling constants, t and J.
In contrast, in the spin anisotropic limit of the t-J model, usually referred
to as the t-J_z model, the global SU(2) invariance is fully restored at J_z=0,
so that only the spin-spin interaction has in that model the true Ising form.
We discuss a relationship between those two models and the standard isotropic
t-J model. We show that the low-energy quasiparticles in all three models share
the qualitatively similar properties at low doping and small values of J/t. The
main advantage of the proposed Ising t-J model over the t-J_z one is that the
former allows for the unbiased Monte Carlo calculations on large clusters of up
to 10^3 sites. Within this model we discuss in detail the destruction of the
antiferromagnetic order by doping as well as the interplay between the AF order
and hole mobility. We also discuss the effect of the exchange interaction and
that of the next nearest neighbour hoppings on the destruction of the AF order
at finite doping. We show that the short-range AF order is observed in a wide
range of temperatures and dopings, much beyond the boundaries of the AF phase.
We explicitly demonstrate that the local no double occupancy constraint plays
the dominant role in destroying the magnetic order at finite doping. Finally, a
role of inhomogeneities is discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figure
Mechanisms of immune modulation in the tumor microenvironment and implications for targeted therapy
Cancer; Immunosuppression mechanisms; Tumor microenvironmentCáncer; Mecanismos de inmunosupresión; Microambiente tumoralCàncer; Mecanismes d'immunosupressió; Microambient tumoralThe efficacy of cancer therapies is limited to a great extent by immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Numerous immune escape mechanisms have been identified. These include not only processes associated with tumor, immune or stromal cells, but also humoral, metabolic, genetic and epigenetic factors within the TME. The identification of immune escape mechanisms has enabled the development of small molecules, nanomedicines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell and epigenetic therapies that can reprogram the TME and shift the host immune response towards promoting an antitumor effect. These approaches have translated into series of breakthroughs in cancer therapies, some of which have already been implemented in clinical practice. In the present article the authors provide an overview of some of the most important mechanisms of immunosuppression within the TME and the implications for targeted therapies against different cancers
Phase transitions in a spinless, extended Falicov-Kimball model on the triangular lattice
A numerical diagonalization technique with canonical Monte-Carlo simulation
algorithm is used to study the phase transitions from low temperature (ordered)
phase to high temperature (disordered) phase of spinless Falicov-Kimball model
on a triangular lattice with correlated hopping (). It is observed
that the low temperature ordered phases (i.e. regular, bounded and segregated)
persist up to a finite critical temperature (). In addition, we observe
that the critical temperature decreases with increasing the correlated hopping
in regular and bounded phases whereas it increases in the segregated phase.
Single and multi peak patterns seen in the temperature dependence of specific
heat () and charge susceptibility () for different values of
parameters like on-site Coulomb correlation strength (), correlated hopping
() and filling of localized electrons () are also discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Supplementation with a prebiotic (polydextrose) in obese mouse pregnancy improves maternal glucose homeostasis and protects against offspring obesity
Phase transitions in the spinless Falicov-Kimball model with correlated hopping
The canonical Monte-Carlo is used to study the phase transitions from the
low-temperature ordered phase to the high-temperature disordered phase in the
two-dimensional Falicov-Kimball model with correlated hopping. As the
low-temperature ordered phase we consider the chessboard phase, the axial
striped phase and the segregated phase. It is shown that all three phases
persist also at finite temperatures (up to the critical temperature )
and that the phase transition at the critical point is of the first order for
the chessboard and axial striped phase and of the second order for the
segregated phase. In addition, it is found that the critical temperature is
reduced with the increasing amplitude of correlated hopping in the
chessboard phase and it is strongly enhanced by in the axial striped and
segregated phase.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure
Placental expression of eNOS, iNOS and the major protein components of caveolae in women with pre-eclampsia
Caveolae regulate many cardiovascular functions and thus could be of interest in relation to pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy specific disorder characterised by hypertension and proteinuria. We examined placental mRNA and protein expression/localisation of the caveolae components Caveolin 1-3, Cavin 1-4 as well as eNOS/ iNOS in normotensive control (n=24) and pre-eclamptic pregnancies (n=19). Placental mRNA expression of caveolin-1, cavin 1-3, was lower and eNOS expression was increased in pre-eclampsia (P<0.05 for all). Additionally Caveolin-1 protein expression was also reduced in pre-eclampsia (P=0.007); this could be an adaptive response in pre-eclampsia, possibly to attenuate the oxidative stress/inflammation
The fate and behavior of selected endocrine disrupting chemicals in full scale wastewater and sludge treatment unit processes
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are discharged into the environment
mainly through wastewater treatment processes. There is a need for
better understanding of the fate of these compounds in the unit
processes of treatment plant to optimize their removal. The fate of
oestrone, 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinyestradiol and nonylphenol
in the unit processes of full scale wastewater treatment plants in the
UK, including activated sludge plant, oxidation ditch, biofilter and
rotating biological contractor were investigated. The overall removal
efficiencies of all the compounds ranged from 41 % to 100 %. The
removals were predominantly during the secondary biological treatment
with the rates of removal related to the nitrification rates and the
sludge age. The removal efficiency of the treatment processes were in
the order activated sludge > oxidation ditch > biofilter >
rotating biological contractors. Activated sludge plant configured for
biological nutrient removal showed better removal of the endocrine
disrupting chemicals compared to conventional activated sludge plant
effluents. Tertiary treatment was also significant in the removal
process through solids removal. Overall mechanisms of removal were
biodegradation and sorption unto sludge biomass. Phytoremediation was
also significant in the removal processes. The endocrine disrupting
chemicals persisted in the anaerobic sludge digestion process with
percentage removals ranging fro 10-48 %. Sorption of the endocrine
disrupting chemicals onto the sludge increased with increasing values
for the partitioning coefficients and the organic carbon contents of
the sludge
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